What Can I Expect?

As neurofeedback becomes more popular you may wonder: How does Neurofeedback work? Is it safe? Learn the benefits and what to expect.

How Does Neurofeedback Work?

At Neurofeedback NY clinic we use the non-invasive NeurOptimal® neurofeedback system for sessions and rentals. NeurOptimal® neurofeedback works by training the brain to use the present moment to decide what to do next, rather than old, often maladaptive patterns. It does this by triggering what’s called the orienting response, which is the brain’s ability to sense change in the environment and take in new information about what is different.

More specifically, during a neurofeedback session, EEG sensors are placed on the head and ears to collect the information about the brain’s activity, which gets fed into the technician’s computer. You sit and listen to music (children can watch a movie or listen to their favorite music). When your brain is about to do something new, i.e. change states, it does a certain kind of “electrical dance”, which the software identifies. When that “dance” is detected the computer program stops the music in milliseconds. What the stopping of the music does, is trigger the orienting response and the brain “comes into the present” and sees what it was about to do and also takes in information about the external environment. And all of this it does in milliseconds and outside of your conscious awareness.

A good analogue is like when you are daydreaming and in a daydream you (your brain) are not aware of what is happening, not until someone calls your name (the music stopping in neurofeedback) and you simultaneously realize that you were lost in a daydream, and recognize the quality of that daydream, as well as take in information about the here-and-now.

Watch this video explanation on how neurofeedback works and what to expect in your first session

Who Can Benefit from Neurofeedback Training and is it Safe?

Anyone can benefit from this training and it is very safe.  Unlike other neurofeedback systems that train specific sites on your brain based on your symptoms, NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback trains your entire central nervous system to perform optimally. Neurofeedback gives your system feedback about its maladaptive patterns and your brain decides how to use that information to improve its overall functioning.  It adds nothing to your brain, therefore, it is very safe.

Read more FAQ’s: Compare Systems >

What Results Can I Expect?

When the brain is trained with NeurOptimal neurofeedback, clients may notice the following:

• Feeling calmer
• Increased mental acuity and focus
• Dropping away of fears
• More appropriate response to situations
• Feeling lighter and greater ease
• Increased motivation and ability to accomplish tasks

Watch this YouTube Video of Natalie Baker, founder of Neurofeedback NY and advanced NeurOptimal Trainer answering one of our top questions: How Many Sessions Should I Do?

More neurofeedback benefits >

What is the Cost of Neurofeedback?

Because NeurOptimal is safe and a fully-automated program there are a number of choices for how and where one trains. Come by for an in person session at Union Square in NYC. Appointments also available on Saturdays. One can also rent or buy the neurofeedback system which provide the exact same training as our in-office sessions. 

View all training options & cost >

NeurOptimal Success Stories from Clients

“My daily stress has lessened and my focus has enhanced.”

“These training sessions have literally changed my life.”

“After the first six sessions, I found that I was sleeping more soundly and that I no longer woke up prior to my alarm clock ringing.”

More Neurofeedback Reviews >